As with so many things connected with Farrah, it started in a pub. Specifically, the Pembroke Castle at the Chalk Farm end of Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London. In attendance – me, Mike Walker and Jez, and a seemingly endless supply of Guinness and lager. It was probably 1996. We were debating the topic which often reduces bands to fisticuffs before even their first gig – the name of the band. There had been the Futon Riders, and then Zephyr. I remember Jez wanted “something 70s”, possibly because it had been pointed out that the band had that powerpop / new wave sound often to be heard on the radio in the late 1970s...punky energy but with tunes and great harmonies. “Farrah” kept coming up in discussion simply because Farrah Fawcett was an icon who summoned up a certain feel of the 1970s...something summery, something positive, and something with enormous hair, wearing a vest.

The early shows were energetic, often a tad shambolic, driven along by the unique energy of Max Fidani on drums who attacked his kit with the verve only a fully qualified optometrist could muster. As the songs began to take shape, more lager and Guinness was consumed, and the ever-prudent Mike Walker funded the album which became “Moustache”, produced with the amazing Ron Rogers at his great home studio in Monmouth. ARK 21 Records put forward a proposal to release the record, which was best summed up by their CEO who announced “Let me tell you what advance I’m going to offer. Nothing. (*leans forward*). Nothing”. But it was a deal, and the band got their start.

Maybe, before the blur gets even more blurry, before Andrew’s computer finally explodes and Jez forgets all his lyrics, now is the time for this Box Set. To say thank you and send lots of love to everyone but most of all to anyone who has come to a show, bought a CD or some merchandise. This isn’t the end, but maybe it’s a good time to have some toast.

So....Bees And Honey. Something sweet, something made from things that are collected, something with the occasional sting to it, and something you have to wear a special hat for. Actually, you don’t really need to wear a special hat. Not unless you want to. It’s up to you.

Disc 2 (Demos)

1. Swings And Roundabouts (Intro)
2. Awkward Situation
3. School Reunion
4. Peter Waits
5. Hit Single
6. List Song
7. Get Your Kicks
8. Filing Song
9. The Only Way
10. No Reason Why
11. Things We Shouldn't Say
12. Better Off This Way
13. Slow Down
14. Dumb Dumb Ditty
15. DNA
16. Last Of The Innocents
17. Wristband Generation
18. No One Stays Together
19. As Soon As I Get Over You
20. Abby’s Going Out
21. Can't Kick The Habit
22. Fear Of Flying
23. Missed The Boat
24. Right Thing At The Right Time
25. Heavy Metal
26. Just Driving
27. Get Over Yourself
28. Best Shot
29. Wasting Time